The producers (the original ones) have been pretty clear from the beginning that they want a defined 4-5 year timeframe to tell their story, but it's not wholly in their power to control. Fortunately, it looks like sagging ratings are the catalyst to get ABC on board too, which will be a win-win-win.

das

as long as it gets good ratings it will be around. amazing now to think how gunsmoke had 20 seasons.

The benefit of 24 is self-contained seasons, which keeps things fresh.

I do truly believe that seasons four and five will have a few less episodes, letting the series end with episode 108.

Thought I'd do the math.

If the pilot counts as one episode, and so does "Exodus (Parts 1 and 2)", Then season 1 was 22 episodes. If they count "Live together, Die Alone (Parts 1 and 2)" as one episodes then Season 2 can be considered 23 episodes. This season will be 22 (6 so far and 16 more returning in Feb). That makes 67 episodes by the end of this season. Seasons 4 and 5 could be 20 epsidoes each (or more likely, a la Alias, Season 4 a full season of 22 episodes with Season 5 having a shortened 18 episodes) would make 107 episodes. And then there could be a finale which is episode 108.

3 seasons would be fine with me. How complicated do these mysteries need to be? Going past 100 episodes is just a way to get better money in syndication.

I do believe that season 1 had 24 hours of episodes including Exodus Part 1 and Part 2. That would make for 23 per each of the first 2 seasons. Plus the alleged 22 that we will get by the end of this season. That would give us 68. Cutting the seasons any shorter would suck for the show. What they could then do is one more regular length season and then prepare the final season to be a straight run of episodes to run during the fall and finish the show and end it on episode 108. Then ABC could come back in the spring with a completely different show. I like the idea of ending the show on episode 108 but I think by trying to finish it on that exact number creates story problems.

Good news. I only have a limited supply of clue notebooks.

I agree 'The Departed' was inferior to 'Infernal Affairs'

as to the topic on hand, bravo... a set ending for 'Lost' is a great idea. If this were a British series, this would have had three seasons at the most. Writers there concentrate on an idea/show with a definitive ending/story resolution, without dragging on a series regardless if it's popular ('Eastenders' withstanding, since it's obviousily a soap opera).

You're right. Now, if you'll excuse me I'm off to watch Doctor Who and Are You Being Served.

Or East Enders.

I'm eating my own words here...

or even 'Red Dwarf'

tsk, tsk...

Not sure if you could tell ... but as it was my signature quoted to me, I was being very sarcastic with my remarks. Just echoing the most common comments I see regarding these two films. I actually thought The Departed was far superior.

That's a soap opera, so I don't think it counts.

LOL! I actually saw your saracasm and laughed out loud a few days ago. Perhaps they have their "display signatures" option turned off. lol

Should they end Lost after 5 seasons, I will be utterly saddened when that time comes...adequate ending or not.